Teen makes new complaint to police over alleged Roast Busters assault

Detective Inspector Karyn Malthus said police had talked to people who had previously been spoken to about allegations. Photo / Natalie Slade

A teenage girl who told police she was sexually assaulted by two members of the Roast Busters group when she was 13 has laid a new complaint over the incident.

The West Auckland girl, now 15, laid a complaint in 201l but at the time police said there was not enough evidence to continue with the case.

But last night, the girl told 3 News that she had made a second complaint.

She felt the police were doing nothing about the Roast Busters group, which boasted online about sexual exploits with drunk and underage girls.

"They deserve to get locked up because they're just sick, sick people," she told 3News.

Police inaction had made her feel like she was at fault.

When contacted by the Herald, Detective Inspector Karyn Malthus said police would not comment on operational matters.

But Ms Malthus said police had talked to people who had previously been spoken to about allegations.

Constitutional law expert Bill Hodge said the new complaint made action against members of the Roast Busters group "more likely than not".

"It's reasonably likely that they've got enough evidence to make an arrest," he said.

Police would want to get it right and not be seen as bowing to public pressure.

Retired accountant Graham McCready, who brought a private prosecution against John Banks over electoral issues, has said he will consider doing the same over the Roast Busters if police do not take action.

The new complaint comes two days after a series of national protests against rape culture.

Police investigating the Roast Busters group have set up a dedicated phone number, 0800 OP CLOVER, to help with the so-called Operation Clover.

The phone line is staffed by the investigation's inquiry team, all of whom are trained to deal with child protection and adult sexual assault.